Deluge valve



Jan.19,1932. E. A. LOWE 7 3 DELUGE VALVE Filed Aug. 30, 1927 INVENTUR Ernesf .4. LOW@ Mum 7' ORIVEYS Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNHTED STATES PATENT GFFEQE ERNEST A. LOWE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF GLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION DELAVARE DELUGE VALVE Application filed August 30, 1927. Serial No. 216,450.

This invention relates to that class of fire extinguishing systems wherein the distributing aiping furnished with automatic sprinkler heads or other outlets is keptcharged with a non-freeze liquid such for instance as a solution of calcium chloride for the purpose of avoiding the danger of freezing present if the piping were charged with Water, as is the practice in some installations.

The invention relatesinore particularly to a system having a piping charged with nonfreeze liquid and wherein another source of iire extinguishing medium like water may be automatically admitted tothe system,

through suitable valve automatically con trolled, to follow the'discharge of the nonfreeze liquid at the sprinkler head or, outlet.

Qne of the objects of the invention is to avoid the dilutionof the non-freeze liquid by leakage past the water controlling valve info the system while itis normally charged.

An additional object is to avoid pollution of the water supply by leakage of the nonfreeze liquid normally charging the system back into the water supply.

A further "object is to avoid liability to dilution of the non-freeze liquid in the opera tion of testingthe automatic devices which control the water valve and to avoid waste of the non-freeze liquid in the testing of the automatic valve.

' Another object is to avoid waste of the nonfreeze liquid in the testing operation of the automatic devices and also to afford means for readily resetting the main or water valve against the head or pressure of the wate tending to unseat the same.

The invention consists also in the provision of an intermediate air or leak chamber interposedbetween the main water supply and the distributing system charged with the nonfreeze liquid whereby'any leakage-past the,

of comparatively small size, adapted for holding; non-freeze liquid derived from the distributing system or source of supply of the non-freeze liquid, such for instance as a tank, said container or holder being used in conjunction with the pressure responsive devices and other appliances controlling the action of the main water valve in a manner hereinafter more particularly described and claimed to allow a test of the pressure device to be made under a head the same as that which it is desired to maintain in the distributing system. any time and without waste of the main supply of non-freeze liquid.

For this purpose a container is provided preferably 'inth-e form of a standpipe of comparatively small size as compared with the main source of supply of non-freeze liquid and is connected with the system in a manner to permit the pressure to be established therein of the desired degree approximating some standard or critical pressure desired in the system itself. Means are provided for cutting off said container or standpipe from connection with the system and also means for permitting free escape of the liquid from said container and its connections for producing diminution of pressure in a device responsive to such diminution and controlling, by suitable means, the action of the main water valve, as will be further described.

Another part of the invention consists essentially in means for facilitating the resetting of the main valve subject to pressure of water tending to unseat the same by the employment of bypass pressure in conjunction with means for temporarily cutting off said main valve from the unseating pressure.

Another and more general object of the invention is to avoid the necessity of draining the distributing system after every test operation on account of dilution of the non freeze liquid by the entrance of water. 7

The invention consists further in details of construction and combinations of parts more particularly recited in the claims whereby the above and other objects, as will be evi dent to those skilled in the art, may be secured.

In the accompanying drawing, which shows in general side elevation and partial section an organization of apparatus whereby the invention may be carried out, an elevated tank 3 contains a large quantity of the non-freeze liquid and is connected through a suitable check valve 4 with the distributing system wherein pressure of the non-freeze liquid is maintained of a degree dependent upon the elevation of the tank and level of liquid therein. As will be understood, the head is suflicient to fill all parts of the system up to the outlets such as the sprinkler heads or other outlets wherever situated. The check valve 4 is interposed between the tank or other supply of non-freeze liquid and the distributing system and is of proper construction to allow free flow of liquid from the tank but to automatically oppose or shut off any back flow due to admission of fire extinguishing medium, such for instance as water, to the stem under head or pressure greater than that afforded by the elevation of the tank.

The distributing system which may be of any standard type comprises for instance a main riser 1 connected with the tank and any number of lateral connections 1 furnished with the automatic sprinkler heads 2 opening automatically by thermostatic action or with other normally closed outlets. When the outlet opens the fire extinguishing nonfreeze liquid escapes therefrom under the head or pressure which is normally maintained in the system and serves to extinguish or control the fire.

In place of the tank 3 any other source of so ply of the non-freeze liquid affording suffic'ient'head or pressure might be employed but it is preferred to use a tank. Suitable control valves such as indicated at 2 may be placed in the distributing system at any desired point or points for shutting off the flow to the sprinkler head or other outlet as soon as the fire is under control.

In many cases fires are controlled by one sprinkler head or by the operation of a few of them at one time. Inasmuch as by the use of suitable automatic signalling or alarm devices notice may be given of the existence of fire condition or operation of the fire extinguishing devices, the control valves may be employed to limit the loss of the nonfreeze liquid and also to avoid the operation of the main water supply valve which results from the extended fall of pressure in the system consequent upon discharge of the nonfreeze liquid.

The casing of the main which automatical- 1 opens by the drop of pressure of the nonze liquid to admit water to the distribuing system from a suitable water main 5 is shown at 6 and will be presently described.

In this improved system or apparatus instant operation of the water valve does not take place when the diminution of pressure of the non-freeze liquid occurs. Thus by the use of the control valve or valves, operated on notice of fire or as soon as sufficient discharge of the non-freeze liquid has taken place to control the same, the discharge of the non-freeze liquid may be limited. If the tank 3 is of a capacity of as much as fifty thousand gallons repeated or prolonged operations, of the sprinkler heads or other outlets may take place without resulting in the operation of the main water valve 6. With a tank of large capacity as described, the operation of valve 6 may be restrained until such time as the level of the solution in tank 3 falls to the danger point which pointis generally established at a few feet above the point where the pipe leads from the bottom of the tank, as, for instance, as indicated by the horizontal dotted line 60 near the bottom of the tank. When however the liquid level and pressure fall below such danger point it becomes dcsirable to out in the valve 6 as a safety measure to permit the pressure supply of water from the main pipe 5, normally held in reserve, to follow up the action of the liquid in tank 3 and thereby avoid danger of a d ficiency of supply of fire extinguishing medium to the highest sprinkler head. This holdin back of the action of the water supply valve is attained by the use of pressure responsive devices normally connected with the distributing system and adjusted to act only on a diminution of pressure consequent upon exhaustion of the non-freeze liquid and lowering of the head thereof in the tank to or below the danger point or line 60.

Referring now to the construction of the water valve which it is preferable to employ for automatic operation in response to the action of the pressure responsive device. 8 indicates a valvedisk in casing 6 normally held to its seat to shut off the supply from the water main or pipe 5, pressure of which supply tends to unseat said valve or disk. Said valve is normally held to its seat by pressure on the back of a disk 9 suitably connected to disk or valve 8 and having a greater pressure area than the unseating areav of 8. The result is that the valve is normally held to its seat by bypass pressure through a suitable bypass opening or connection such as indicated at 10 through which the normal pressure of the supply from 5 passes to the chamber 11 at the back of disk 9. This construction of differential valve permits valve 8 to be normally kept closed by the pressure of 5 but permits it to unseat by decrease or relief of pressure in the chamber 11 brought about automatically as will be presently described.

12 indicates a suitable check or flap valve interposed between pipe 1 and the main water valve adapted to retain the non-freeze liquid in the piping but to open on the rush of water admitted when'the valve 8 becomes unseated. At 13 is indicated a leak chamber between the valve 8 and the system 1. Said chamber 13 is open to the atmosphere normally through a valve 15 normally keptopen by engagement of the seated valve 8 therewith or by other suitable construction of valve through which the chamber 13 has con nection with the atmosphere. Any leakage from valve 8 due to improper seating of the same isreceived in chamber 13 and escapes by outlet 14 so that it cannot accumulate and pass to the system 1 containing the non-freeze liquid with the ellect of diluting the same. When however the valve 8 is completely opened to allow water from 5 to enter the eve tem 1, the pressure of liquid in chamber 13 and the coincident freeing of valve 15 from engagement by disk 8, causes valve 15 to close thereby stopping the escape of water through pipe 1 1 and the disk valve 12 is lifted and rush of water in large quantity under the heavy pressure from pipe 5 enters the system 1 to follow discharge ot-the non-freeze liquid from the outlet or outlets. The intermediate chamber 13 also acts to prevent pollution of the water supply by leakage of the nonfreeze liquid back through the flap or check valve 12 since it prevents leakage pressure from building up on the under side of disc or clapper 9, which would tend to lift the same and permit the solution to get by into the water supply 5.

7 indicates a gate valve or shut-off between pipe 5 and valve 8. This valve is employ l as will be presently described in conjuno tion with the means for resetting the valve 8 and with any test of the automatic eration of the system. Connected with chamber 13, if desired, is a pipe50 through which water passes on opening of valve 8 to actuate a water motor 51 and cause operation of the hammer of an alarm bel 52 in the usual or any proper way. I V

For resetting the valve 8 it is necessary to close the same against the pressure tending to unseat it and to facilitate this resetting action and permit it to be effected by, pressure from the supply pipe 5 the gate or shutoff valve 7 is used together with the bypass 10 connected to chamber 11 and to the pipe 5 at some point, as indicated. such that when pressure from pipe 5 upon valve 8 is relieved by means of valve 7, pressure may be applied through bypass 10' to the disk 9 in order to seat valve 8 and restore the parts to normal condition. If desired a shut-oil valve as indicated at 53 may be used for stopping or? the flow through 10 after the valve is seated and leaving the parts in condition, after opening of valve 'Z, to permit valve 8 to become unseated when the discharge from 11 takes place at a greater rate than the inflow through bypass 10. It is possible, however, to dispense with valve 53 and maintai a continuous connection through bypass 10, which connection preferably should be restricted 1n that case as indicated at 10. In

this instance it is obvious that the discharge 7 for relieving pressure in 11 to cause the valve 8 to open must be at greater rate than the combined intake of the bypass pressure through 10 and 10;

fit at is indicated a supplemental container chamber, in the form preferably of a standpipe, which is connected with the dis tributing system through a shut-oli valve 25. 20 indicates a pipe through which the pres sureresponsive device has connecti n with the system of piping 1 and with the supplemental pressure container 2 1. The stop-cock or device 25 serves as means for cutting off the connection between riser or test chamber 2 1 and the pipe 1 as well as the connection of the pressure responsive device with said pipin g normally established by means 0 f connection 20. V

A suitable pressure responsive device adapted to respond to diminution of pressure to a predetermined extent in the system 1 consists of a diaphragm 19 normally held in a lowered position by the pressure derived from piping 1 or from the chamber or container 24; but adapted to rise when said pressure decreases and to thereby permit a detent lever 21 to rise and free the weighted lever 22. The pressure opposing the liquid pressure on the diaphragm 19 and tending to raise the lever and diaphragm and operating to lift the lever when the pressure of the non-freeze liquid in the system decreases may be derived from a spring 23 acting on the lever 21 as shown and preferably provided with suitable means for adjusting its action on the lever and diaphragm to cause action on a decrease of the fluid pressure to a predetermined degree. When the weighted lever 22 drops it engages the head of a valve rod carrying valve 16, normally held seated by spring 18, and thereby opens said valve. Said valve normally closes an outlet passageway from chamber 11 to discharge pipe 17 and, when said valve is opened, relief of pressure in chamber 11 takes place to such an extent that the water valve is operated and i water cischarged from pipe 5 into the sys tem as already explained. As will be understood, valve 116 permits escape of the bypass pressure at a greater rate than it can be reintorced through bypass 10 in addition to I bypass 10 it the latter be kept in action.

40 indicates a suitable pressure gauge connected with pipe 20 or to other suitable point to permit the pressure in container 2 1, or in the distributing system when the shutoff valve 25 is opened, to be read at any time while ll indicates a suitable bleed-cock or discharge device by which the head in con miner 24 may be lowered and the pressure therein reduced in testing the operation. 42

indicates pet-cocks of any desired number connected to the riser or container 24 and so placed that the level of the liquid therein when the same is connected to the system through pipe 25 may be brought down approximately to the liquid level line corresponding to the critical or danger line of pressure as indicated by the horizontal dotted line 60 of tank 3.

The general operation and manner of use of the apparatus is as follows:

Normally the devices stand in the position indicated in the drawing, water valve 8 being closed and likewise valve 16, while valve 25 is open to permit pressure of the non-freeze liquid to reach diaphragm 19. Flap valve 12 retains the none-freeze liquid in the distributing system. On the occurrence of fire and the opening of a discharge outlet for the non-freeze liquid such for instance as a sprinkler head, the liquid is drawn off through said outlet but owing to the quantity of liquid in the tank 3 the liquid will not be lowered in said tank down to the level of 60 or danger line before the fire is extinguished by the action of a liquid or by other means brought into operation by the fire department notified by the usual signal of the existence of lire. To stop the waste at this stage of the operation the shut-oft or control valve 2 is employed. Owing to the adjustment of the pressure responsive diaphragm and connected appliances as effected y the initial construction or by adjustment of spring 23, the fall of the level and the drop of pressure consequent thereon will be insuflicient to cause the pressure responsive device 19 to free lever 22. The automatic main valve will therefore be unaffected, since no action of the relief valve 16 will take place and said main water valve will remain closed, and no discharge from the water supply 5 Will take place into the distributing system. Should however discharge of the non-freeze liquid take place sufiiciently at any time to bring the level in the tank below the danger line, which may be at any desired predetermined level, threatening the suiliciency of the supply of said non-freeze liquid to extinguish or control the fire, the diminution of pressure affecting the diaphragm 9 and consequent upon a decrease of head will, owing to the predetermined adjustment by means of spring 23 or other means causing the diaphragm to lift, result in the detent lever 21 freeing the devices for operating the relief valve 16. The action of the latter will, as already explained, result in the automatic opening of the main water valve 8 and a rush of water from the pipe 5 under head will pass into the distributing system to supplement or follow the discharge of the nonfreeze liquid at the danger point, thus insuring a sufiicient supply of extinguishing fluid to the discharge or sprinkler outlets. At the same time that this action of the water valve takes place water will pass from chamber 13 to pipe 50 and cause operation of the alarm or signal. This gives notice that the discharge of non-freeze liquid has taken place to a sufiicient extent to endanger the continuance of the supply or a repetition of the operation and that the tank must be replenished with the non-freeze liquid. When the necessity for use of the fire extinguishing fluid, whether of non-freeze liquid or water, at the outlets has passed, the valve 7 may be closed and further flow of water from 5 cut off. The supply of non-freeze liquid may be then replenished and the water valve now be reset, owing to the absence of unseating pressure on the valve 8, by means of the bypass pressure taken around valve 7 through passage 10' into the chamber 11 as already explained. As will be understood, this resetting action rcquires that the valve 53, if such be employed, be open. After resetting the valve 53 may be closed and seating ot' the valve maintained by the bypass pressure through opening 10 or valve 53 may be left open at all times, in which case the flow of liquid therethrough owing to its restricted cross-section, will not be sufficient to prevent complete relief of pressure in 11 by action of valve 16 when automatic operation of the water valve-is required.

After the resetting of the valve 8 and re plenishment of the supply in tank 3 the shut off valve 7 may be opened, the trip devices 21 and 22 being at such time in reset position shown in the full lines so that the relief valve 16 will automatically close and not interfere with the maintenance of the reset condition of the main water valve.

\Vhen it is desired to test the auton'iatic action of the devices responsive to the decrease of pressure and the automatic action of the main water valve controlled thereby, valve 7 is closed, and valve 25 also closed thus shutting (iii the pressure responsive device 19 and the supplemental container 34 from connection with the system of piping. There will then be present in the container 24 a level of liquid and a consequent pressure on diaphragm 19 which corresponds to or is the same as the pressure in the distributing system at thetime of test.

To determine whether the apparatus will operate properly when a decrease of the prcssure in the distributing system would, in a fire operation, as already explained, require action of the diaphragm 19, the bleed 41 may be opened. valve 25 at such time being closed. and thereby the liquid in small amount dependent upon the size of container 24, drawn ofi until the pressure observed at it) reaches the critical pressure at which operation of the pressure responsive diaphragm 19 and lever 21 should take place. Ordinarily this would occur when the decrease of pressure corresponds to diminution of head below the line 60. The gage 40 may be read to determine when such critical pressure corresponding to the danger level has been 1 reached and if theleve'r 21 at such diminished pressure should fail to act by the operation 0 spring 2'3, the action of'said spring by a ita'ble adjustment may be increased to insure the operation of releasing the We, lever 22. Gbviously the pet-cocks :16 may be employed likewise to obtain a level and. pressure in container 24; for the purpose of the test corresponding to the criticalor danger level or any other desired le el at the time of test.

lVhenever in the testing operation the weighted lever 22'is tripped it is obvious that the relief valve 16 would be operated and if there were pressure tending to unseatthe 9 valve 8 an inrush of water from pipe 5 into the system would take place, resulting in dilution of the non-freeze liquid and the possible necessity of draining the system. This e l-i ect of the test is however avoided by the 5 use of the valve 7 which has been previously closed as already stated.

As will be seen it is not necessary for a test of the automatic operation of the water valve and control means to draw ofi non-freeze liquid from the distributing system and therefore loss from this cause isa-voided. .Such loss as takes place in the testing operationis only the small quantity in the container 24 deriving its pressure from that of the sys tem but cut on therefrom during, the test by the operation of the valve 25.

The invention avoids unnecessary dilution of the non-freeze liquid in the distributing system from unnecessary operations of the water valve automatically and also liability to dilution from the testing of the automatic actions. Dilution from lifting the valve 8 through surges in the pressure in pipe 5 is avoided because such surges are compensated for or neutralized by the bypass action upon the disk 9 which equalizes or opposes in corresponding amount the tendency of the valve 8 to lift by the surge or fluctuations of pressure.

l/Vaste of the non-freeze liquid to any appreciable or considerable extent is avoided during the testing operation of the automatic devices responsive to decreased pressure of I said liquid in the system. The alarm or signal operated from the pipe 50 also conduces to avoidance of dilution since in case of premature operation oi the water valve or operation when conditions do not require the use of the water, notice is given permitting op eration of the valve 7 to cut oif the supply through valve 8 until normal adjustment of condition of the automatic devices is re-estahlished.

Likewise any tendency to dilution or pollution is effectually prevented in the case of source of supply.

any long continued leakage past valve 8 or valve 12 since accumulation of such leakage cannot take'place owing to the presence of the intermediate leak chamber 13 from which the leakage discharges as fast as it occurs.

That I claim as my invention is: p

1. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, having system of distributing piping, the combinat on of a source of supply of nondireeze liquid under head or pressure and'normally charging the system of distributing piping, a valve admitting water to the system, pressure responsive means connected to said system for controlling the action ofsaid valve on diminutionoi head or pressure therein, a container having a connection with the source and with the pressure responsive means and adapted to hold a comparatively small amount of the non-freeze liquid under substantially the same head or pressure as said non-freeze liquid supply and means for cutting ofi the connection of said container and of the pressure responsive means with said system at will for permitting a test without drawing the non-freeze liquid from the 2. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, having a system of distributing piping, the combination of asource of supply of non-freeze liquid under head or pressure and normally char ing the system of distributing piping, a va ve admitting water to the system, pressure responsive means connected to said system for controlling the action of said valve on diminution of head or pressure therein,

head or pressure, means for cutting oil the connection of said container and of the pressure responsive means with said system at will for permitting a test without drawing the non-freeze liquid from the source of supply and means for bleeding the container to lower the liquid pressure therein to a point at which the pressure responsive means will act.

3. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, having a system of distributing piping, the combination of a source of supply of non-freeze liquid under head or pressure and normally charging the system of distributing piping, a valve admitting water to the system, pressure responsive means connected to the said system for controling the action of said valve on diminution of head or pressure therein, a container having a connection with the source and with the pressure responsive means and adapted to hold a comparatively small amount of the non-freeze liquid under head or pressure, means for adjusting the pressure in said container to a pressure approximating that of the source when the supply decreases to or near the danger point or point approximating exhaustion and means for cuttin and o the pressure responsive means with said system at will for permitting a test without drawing the non-freeze liquid from the source of supply.

4. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, having a systeni of distributing piping, the comhination of a source of supply of non-freeze liquid under head or pressure normally connectedwith the system of distributing pipa valve admitting water thereto, a test standpipe, pressure responsive means responsiveto a diminution of pressure therein for cpntrqlling the action of said valve, means connected with said system admitting the non-freeze liquid to said standpipe and to said pressure responsive means and adapted to'be closed at will, a connection between the standpipe and the. pressure responsive means and means for bleeding the ,standpipe to lower the pressure therein for purposes of test.

5. In a fire extinguishing apparatus having a system of distributing piping, the combination of a source of supply of non'freeze liquid connected with the system of distributing piping, a valve admitting water to said piping, pressure responsive means responsive to a diminution of pressure therein for controlling the action of said valve, a test standpipe, means for connecting said pressure responsive means and said standpipe together and with said system and means for rendering said connection inoperative, meansfor lowerin J the head of liquid in said standpipe while said connection is inoperative to approximately the critical head for which atest is to be made and means for bleeding the connection between the test pipe and the pressure responsive means to allow further lowering of head for the purpose of test.

6. In a fire extinguishing apparatus having a system of distributing piping, the combination of a system of distributing piping, a tank supplying non-freeze liquid to the system of distributing piping under gravity head, a test pipe or container adapted to hold a comparatively small amount of the liquid and means for opening or closing connection of the same at will with the said source, a valve admitting fire extinguishing fluid from an independent source to the system, a pressure responsive device communicating with the svstem and the standpipe and responsive to a iminution of pressure therein for controlling the action of said valve and means for avoiding at will the communication between the pressure responsive device and the system while the test pipe or container is out of communication with said ource.

7. In a fire extinguishing system, the com bination of a system of pipin a source of supply of non-freeze liquid under pressure off the connection of said container for said piping, a standpipe or container of small volume connected with the system and of the source of supply, a second source of liquid supply, control means for the same, pressure responsive means responsive to diminution of pressure for operating said control means and connected with the standpipe and with the system of piping, means for cutting oil the standpipe and the pressure responsive device I from said system, and means for producing at will diminution of pressure in the standpipe.

8. In a fire extinguishing apparatus having a system of distributing piping, the combination of a system of piping, a source of supply of non-freeze liquid normally charging the system of-piping, a standpipe connected with the system and adapted to hold the non-freeze liquid at substantially the same pressure or head as that of the source of supply, a second source of liquid supply, control means for the same, pressure responsive means responsive to diminution of pressure for operating said control means and connected with the standpipe and with the system of piping, meansfor cutting off the standpipe and the pressure responsive device from said system, and a bleed-cock for lowering the head in the standpipe to permit the action of the pressure responsive device to be tested at any desired head of the non-freeze liquid.

9. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, the combination of a system of piping. a tank from which said system is normally filled with a non-freeze fire extinguishing medium under pressure, a container of small volume as compared with that of the tank and having'a connection with said system of piping, a valve for admitting liquid to the system from an independent source, a valve controlling pressure responsive device havinga connection with said container and with the tank and responsive to a diminution of pressure therein, means for indicating the pressure in said container and means for shutting off the connection of the pressure responsive device with the tank to permit said device to be tested by fall of pressure in the container.

10. In a fire extinguishing system, the combination of a distributing piping normally containing a fire extinguishing medium under head or presure. pressure responsve means connected with the piping and responsive to diminution of said head or presure, means for testing the operation of said presurc responsive means, said means being normally connected with said distributing piping and formed with means for reducing the pressure adjacent said pressure responsive means independently of the pressure of fire extinguishing medium in said piping, a valve for admitting a second fire extinguishing medium to thepiping and normally held to its seat by bypass pressure, means subject to the action of ti e pressure responsive device and operating through the relief of said bypass pressure for producing the opening of said valve and a shut-oil 'alve for shutting off the supply of said second tire extinguishing medi um from said valve to permit test of the pressure responsive device and connected mea 5' to be conducted without admission of fire tingu' ring medium from said source to distributing piping.

11. In a fire extinguishing system, the coinbinaticn with a normally charged system of piping charged with non-freeze liquid under head or pressure, a differential valve adapted to admit water to said system and held normally closed by bypass pressure, means responsive to diminution of pressure of the nontreeze iquid for causing said valve to open and admit water, means operating with substantially no loss 01 liquid from said piping for testing the action of said pressure responsive means by reducing the pressure adjacent said pressure responsive means and means for shutting oil communication of the source of water supply from the valve dur ing the test thereby avoiding dilution of the non-freeze liquid.

12. In a fire extinguishing apparatus having a system of distributing pipes, the combination of a limited source of supply of tire extinguishing liquid under head or pressure and normally charging the system of distributing pipes, an independent source of liquid supply associated with said system of pipes, valve closure means normally closing communication between said independent source of liquid supply and said pipes, nornally closed disclu ge means for said pipes, and means responsive to substantial exhaustion of said firstnamed source of sup )ly for opening said valve closure means.

13. In a fir extinguishing apparatus, the combination of piping, a tank from which the piping is normally filled with a non-freeze tire extinguishing iiedium under pressure, a conta iuer of small volume as compared with that of the tank and communicating therea valve for admitting liquid to the piping from an independent source, a valve controlling pressure responsive device communicating with said container and will the tank, means for indicating the pressure in said container and means for shutting oil the communication of the pressure responsive device with the tank to permit said device to be tested by fall of pressure in the container and means for shutting oil the commun cation bet. een said independent source and said valve.

l l. In a the extinguishing apparatus hav ing a system of distributing pipes, the com bination of a limited source of supply of lire extinguishing liquid under head or pressure and normally charging the system of distriouting pipes, an independent source of liquid supply associated with said system of pipes, valve closure means normallv closing communication between said independent source of liquid supply and said pipes, normally closed discharge means for said pipes, means responsive to substantial exhaustion of said first-named source of supply for opening said valve closure means and means for normally maintaining said first-named liquid spaced from said valve closure means.

15. In a fire extinguishing system, the combination with a source of supply of nonfreeze liquid under head or pressure normally charging the same, a valve for admitting water to the system, means for holding said valve closed by bypass pressure, and valve controlling means comprising a pressure relief valve and means responsive to drop of pressure of the non-freeze liquid in the system and adjusted to act only after the supply of non-freeze liquid and the consequent head or pressure has fallen or lowered to a predetermined extent, suliicient to threaten the continuance of the supply thereof from its source, said pressure of non-freeze liquid being normally in excess of the reduced pressure sufiicient to produce the operation of said valve.

16. In a fire extinguishing system, the combination of a tank from which the system of distributing piping is normally filled with a. non-freeze liquid and of capacity suficient for control of a fire when a sprinkler head or other outlet is opened, a valve controlling the admission of water to the system of distributing piping and pressure responsive means connected to the system of distributing piping for controlling the action of said valve and means for adjusting the action oi said pressure responsive means to respond to a diminution of pressure to a predetermined degree following a lowering of level in the tank below the danger point and only after repeated or prolonged operation of the sprinkler head or heads.

17. in a lire extinguishing apparatus provided with a distributing system of pipes, the combination of elevated tank containing a non-freeze liquid and normally charging the distributing system, a thermostatically controlled sprinkler outlet for said distributing pipes, means responsive to a drop of pressure in said system due to opening of a sprinkler outlet when the liquid in the tank is at the danger level, a water supply valve admitting water to said system and controlled in its action by said pressure responsive means and a signal responsive to the action of said valve.

18. In a tire extinguishing apparatus provided with distributing system of pipes, the combination of an elevated tank containing a non-freeze liquid and normally charging the distributing system, a thermostatically controlled sprinkler outlet for said distributing pipes, means responsive to a drop of pressure in the system due to opening of a sprinkler outlet when said liquid in the tank is at the danger level, a Water supply valve admitting water to said system and controlled in its action by said pressure responsive means and a, signal actuated by flow of Water admitted through said valve.

Signed at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, this 22nd day of August, A. D. 1927.

ERNEST A. LOWE. 

